Occupancy-Aware Radar Fall Detection With Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall detection systems based on reflected waves consume significant power and are inefficient in environments with multiple occupants, where power conservation is crucial, and there is a need to differentiate between fall events and non-fall positions accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses an active reflected wave detector, such as radar, to monitor occupancy levels and control power consumption based on the presence of other individuals who can assist, employing a CPU to analyze wave reflections for fall detection and classification, utilizing a state classifier to determine fall conditions while conserving energy by deactivating the detector when no assistance is needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reflected-wave based system (radar, lidar, sonar) is used to monitor a person for fall detection, then fall detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fall detection measurements periodically or at specific intervals rather than continuously. The processor is configured to obtain measurements from sensors and determine fall events based on these periodic measurements, reducing power consumption while maintaining effective fall detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary occupancy detection to determine if another person is present before initiating full fall detection measurements. By first checking occupancy status and then conditionally performing fall detection only when necessary (i.e., when the monitored person is alone), the system avoids unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliability when assistance is needed.
2Reliability
If continuous fall detection monitoring is performed using reflected-wave systems, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption and energy waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic measurements instead of continuous monitoring. The processor obtains sensor measurements at specific intervals and determines fall events based on these periodic data points, maintaining detection reliability while significantly reducing energy waste compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial monitoring by first checking occupancy status and then performing full fall detection analysis only when another person is absent. This partial action approach ensures energy is not wasted on continuous monitoring when assistance would be available, while maintaining full detection capability when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If occupancy-based control is implemented to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can perform both occupancy detection and fall detection measurements. The same sensor array and processor are used for multiple purposes: determining presence of other persons and analyzing fall events, reducing overall system complexity while enabling occupancy-based power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines occupancy detection and fall detection functions into a unified processing framework. The processor integrates both occupancy status determination and fall event analysis, merging control logic to reduce complexity while achieving power savings through occupancy-based activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively detects falls while minimizing power consumption by selectively activating the radar-based detector only when necessary, ensuring timely assistance is provided without excessive energy use.
Implementation Method 1
A system that uses an active reflected wave detector, such as radar
Implementation Method 2
an active reflected wave detector
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment relates to computer implemented method comprising: controlling an active reflected wave detector to measure wave reflections from an environment to receive measured wave reflection data that is obtained by the active reflected wave detector; determining an occupancy level indicative of how many people are present in the environment; and controlling, in dependence on the occupancy level, a fall detector that is operable to detect whether a person in the environment has fallen based on the measured wave reflection data.